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C−

Phillips Elementary

PublicElementaryGrades K–5

1701 Lay St, Des Moines, IA 50317 · (515) 242-8431 · Part of Des Moines Independent Community School District

Des Moines’ School Grade D− better than 2% of Iowa school districts

Students
263
Students per teacher
11:1
Free or reduced lunch
79%
Setting
City
Grades
K–5
The gist

What stands out about Phillips Elementary

  • Its own letter, C−: better results than 15% of Iowa’s public schools
  • Math proficiency 7 pts below the state
  • Reading / language arts 21 pts below the state
  • Small classes: 11 students per teacher
  • Enrollment down 10.2% since 2020–21
  • Next stop for Des Moines kids: 10 middle schools

On the path

Where Des Moines kids come from and go next. The whole path →

K–5Phillips ElementaryYou are here
6–810 middle schoolsDepends on your address

Test scores

2020–21
Math proficiency57%
State average 64.2%
Reading / language arts47%
State average 67.8%

Its own letter, C−, places these results among Iowa’s 1,177 public schools with results. Source: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21).

1701 Lay St, Des Moines

Students

Enrollment by grade
Kindergarten49
Grade 136
Grade 247
Grade 356
Grade 435
Grade 540
Enrollment over time
293’20
263’21
258’22
254’23
263’24

Down 10.2% since 2020–21.

Who goes here
White 49%Hispanic 34%Black 9%Two or more races 5%Asian 2%American Indian/Alaska Native <1%

As reported to NCES, share of students with a reported race or ethnicity.

Parents talk

Questions and answers about Phillips Elementary from Des Moines families.

Other schools in Des Moines Independent Community School District

The district →

School facts: U.S. Department of Education (NCES), 2024–2025 school year. Test scores: EDFacts via Urban Institute Education Data Portal (SY2020-21). A school’s letter is our own summary of its reading and math results against Iowa’s other public schools; Des Moines’s School Grade is built from its districts’ results. Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.